ARDEN HILLS, Minn. – In a game that was a tale of two halves, the Bethel University men's basketball team came up on the short end falling to Hamline 74-61 inside the Robertson Center. The loss was Bethel's fourth straight while the Pipers extended their winning streak to five.
 
After shooting 50 percent in the first half with five three pointers, Bethel shot 26.7 percent in the final 20 minutes and were 1-of-10 from three. The Pipers finished the night 45.6 percent from the floor going 46.7 percent in the first and 44.4 in the second.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
First Half
• Bethel kicked off the game on a 12-4 run over the first four minutes with triples from Payton Thomsen and Adam Mattes.
• The Royals largest lead of the half come on a nice driving layup by Gabe Siler making it 20-8 with 11:45 to go.
• Hamline climbed back into it with a 7-0 run before Joey Kidder bumped the lead back to six with a three ball.
• With seven different players scoring and a 45.5 percent mark from three, 5-of-11, BU led 41-34 at the half.
 
Second Half
• A 9-0 run early for the Pipers gave them their first lead of the night at 55-52 with 11:30 to go.
• From the 15:45 mark to the 6:07 mark of the second BU went cold from the field going 0-for-12 and were limited to three free throw makes.
• Bethel got no closer than six which came at the 5:06 mark. Hamline put it away at the free throw line where six of its final eight points came.
 
KEY PERFORMERS
• Payton Thomsen finished with a team-high 15 points and knocked down three triples.
• Joey Kidder had his second straight double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
• Zach Doely finished with 12 points, seven boards and six assists.
 
UP NEXT
The Royals travel north taking on Concordia Saturday in Moorhead for a 3 p.m. tip.

  Read Full Article